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Letter Carriers · CCA Basics

Stage 3

A few paragraphs down the page, Joanie Weber re-reads the first part of the poster titled The Journey of a Piece of Mail by Molly Hunter, because that section is presented as a flowchart. While computers are very good at creating flowcharts, they are not always very good at reading them aloud in a clear and natural way. Joanie is stepping in to make sure the information is easier to follow and understand. She hopes you enjoy the content.

Every piece of mail you carry follows the same journey — from your case, to a decision at the door, to (hopefully) a mailbox. This guide walks through that whole day: your morning and evening duties, how to decide whether a piece can be delivered, the endorsements you'll use, and the safety habits that protect you the entire time.

From casing to delivery — daily duties, the delivery decision tree, common endorsements, and the safety habits that keep you protected.

Podcasters' Wisdom Podcasts - Listen Again
Listen to this poster The poster continues below the delivery decision tree with a banner: Remember — protect the mail, don't guess, ask questions, and when in doubt, leave it for review. Morning duties, step by step. One, clock in: be on time and ready. Two, retrieve accountables: arrow key, scanner, satchel key, and so on. Three, review information: hold mail, forwards, red book edits, route notes, MSPs. Four, case and pull down accurately: check bundles, DPS, flats, holds and accountable mail. Five, verify parcels and accountables: check for missorts and accuracy. Six, complete required scans: follow scanner prompts. Seven, load vehicle safely: heavy items down low, secure everything. Eight, depart to route: be safe, protect the mail. PM duties. One, return accountables: arrow key, scanner, satchel key. Two, endorse and separate mail: use correct endorsements, place in proper throw separations. Three, turn in hold mail, with hold cards. Four, clear vehicle: remove all mail, parcels and personal items. Five, complete required scans: ensure all scans are submitted. Six, submit forms as needed: 3996's, leave slips, and so on. Seven, secure and update: route book, edit book, and any notes for tomorrow. Eight, clock out: leave the office and route ready for tomorrow. Common endorsements: ANK, attempted not known. IA, insufficient address. NSN, no such number. NSS, no such street. NMR, no mail receptacle. UAA, undeliverable as addressed. REF, refused. VAC, vacant. DEC, deceased. Things that get carriers in trouble: UBBM first-class mail, guessing endorsements, leaving arrow keys unattended, throwing mail away, delivering mail you know is wrong, and skipping scans or forms. Ask questions. Protect the mail. Follow the rules. Be safe. Throwback separations — verify local procedures. Bundled: ANK, IA, UAA, NSN and NSS. Individually endorsed: vacant, refused, deceased, NMR, and temporarily away. And the golden rules: accuracy before speed. Protect the mail like it's your own. When in doubt, ask!
The full poster — every topic on this page, at a glance. ⬇ Download card

Courtesy of Molly Hunter

☀️ Morning Duties

A.M. Duties card: clock in, get accountables, review information, case and pull down, verify parcels and accountables, load and prepare vehicle, depart to route.
The printable card version of this section. ⬇ Download card

Courtesy of Molly Hunter

  1. Clock In — Be on time and ready.
  2. Get Accountables — Arrow key, scanner, satchel key, etc.
  3. Review Information — Hold mail, forwards, red book, MSPs, route notes.
  4. Case & Pull Down — Bundles, DPS, flats, holds and accountables. 🎧 Bonus Content! The Postal Stand-Up Podcast - Casing Mail 🎵 Audio 📄 Transcript 👤 Contributor
  5. Verify Parcels & Accountables — Check for missorts and accuracy.
  6. Load & Prepare Vehicle — Load safely and secure everything.
  7. Depart to Route — Be safe. Protect the mail.
Morning Motto

Accuracy before speed.

🏷️ Common Endorsements

A quick-reference glossary for every code you'll see on a case or a scanner prompt:

Endorsement Quick Guide card: ANK, IA, NSN, NSS, NMR, REF, VAC, DEC.
The printable card version of this section. ⬇ Download card

Courtesy of Molly Hunter

🧺 Throwback Separations

Verify local procedures — how these are separated can vary by station.

  • Bundled: ANK, IA, UAA, NSN/NSS (Bundled means only endorse the top item in that stack)
  • Individually endorsed: Vacant, Refused, Deceased, NMR, Temporarily Away (Individually Endorsed means endorse each item)

⚠️ Things That Get Carriers in Trouble

  • UBBM First-Class Mail - Putting first class mail in the recycling UBBM tub.
  • Guessing endorsements
  • Leaving arrow keys unattended
  • Throwing mail away - Duh.
  • Delivering mail you know is wrong. You delivered mail to the wrong house and when you realize it you don't go back and correct it.
  • - Skipping scans or forms - CRM scans - When your scanner gives you a CRM request, do it.  (Does anybody know what CRM stands for? We can't find it.)
Remember

Ask questions. Protect the mail. Follow the rules. Be safe.

🌙 Evening (PM) Duties

P.M. Duties card: return accountables, process mail, turn in hold mail, turn in forwards, clear vehicle, complete scans, update and secure, clock out.
The printable card version of this section. ⬇ Download card

Courtesy of Molly Hunter

  1. Return Accountables — Arrow key, scanner, satchel key, etc.
  2. Process Mail — Endorse UAA; separate throwback mail.
  3. Turn In Hold Mail — With hold cards.
  4. Turn In Forwards — All forwards received.
  5. Clear Vehicle — Remove all mail, parcels, and personal items.
  6. Complete Scans — Ensure all scans are submitted.
  7. Update & Secure — Route book, red book, and notes for tomorrow.
  8. Clock Out — Leave the office and route ready for tomorrow.
Evening Motto

Leave it better than you found it.

🛡️ Safety First: Every Choice Matters

Safety First, Every Choice Matters card: vehicle safety, secure every time, accountables matter, dog awareness, be aware of surroundings, you matter go home safe.
The printable card version of this section. ⬇ Download card

Courtesy of Molly Hunter

🚚 Vehicle Safety

  • Park safely
  • Set parking brake
  • Curb wheels
  • Turn off engine
  • Remove key

🔒 Secure Every Time

  • Lock vehicle
  • Close windows
  • Take arrow key
  • Hide valuables
  • Secure mail

🔑 Accountables Matter

  • Know what you have
  • Keep with you
  • Never leave unattended
  • Return at end of day

🐕 Dog Awareness

  • Don't startle dogs
  • Watch for signs
  • Use caution
  • No direct contact
  • Carry protection

👀 Be Aware of Surroundings

  • Watch backing
  • Watch pedestrians
  • Watch traffic
  • Trust your instincts
  • Stay focused

❤️ You Matter, Go Home Safe

  • Wear seatbelt
  • Take breaks
  • Stay hydrated
  • Don't rush
  • Report hazards
Every Choice Matters

Think safe. Work safe. Go home safe.

📢 Safety Reminders

Safety Reminders card: arrow key rule, protect the mail, follow the process, speak up, it's on you.
The printable card version of this section. ⬇ Download card

Courtesy of Molly Hunter

  • Arrow Key Rule — Never leave it unattended. Not even for a second.
  • Protect the Mail — Secure it. Don't delay it. Don't damage it.
  • Follow the Process — If you're not sure, ask. Don't guess.
  • Speak Up — Report problems. Ask questions. We're here to help.
  • It's on You — Safety is a choice. Make the right one. Every time.
Golden Rules

Accuracy before speed. Protect the mail like it's your own. When in doubt, ASK!

📦

Download All the Cards

Every card on this page, full quality, in one ZIP file — handy for printing or sharing at the station.

⬇ Download All Cards (.zip)